Artist Simon Donovan

Simon Donovan– Artist Statement

Art with function, why not?

As a painter and sculptor often working in the realm of public art, I am often working with very practical design issues. Considerations of durability, engineering, foundations, usability and risk management concerns are basic elements. Works often demand site–specific responses as their funding sources are often associated with public owned buildings (thus needs for architectural embellishments) or with road improvement projects (essentially landscape enhancement). So I have come to see the line between fine art and design as pretty murky.

Many design professionals and craftspeople create fine art, conversely many fine artists are concerned with design and craftsmanship. Limiting scope of interest and disciplines can be a denial of creativity. For myself, I have strong design interests, opinions and impulses, so why not indulge?

The artists/designers/craftsmen in this show represent but a few of Tucson’s great talents practicing cross-disciplines today. Here sculptors and painters are making furniture, architects and craftsmen are making fine art. The reality of many artists today is that to make a living you must be a renaissance man, so we might as well enjoy it.

Resume

Education

M.F.A. Transart Institute, Danube University, Krems, Austria / Berlin, Germany

B.F.A. Rhode Island School of Design

Phillips Andover Academy, Institute of Visual Studies

Exhibitions

2009 Concentart, Berlin, Germany
2009 Tucson Museum of Art Biennial, Tucson, AZ
2009 Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2007 Conrad Wilde Gallery
2006 - 2001 Temple of Music & Art, Tucson, AZ
2006, 2003, 2002, 1997 Obsidian Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2005 New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
2005 Tucson Museum of Art, Painted Metal, Tucson, AZ
2005, 2002 Raices Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2005, 1990, 1989, 1988 Dinnerware Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2003, 1996 Etherton Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2002, 2001 Canyon Ranch Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2001 Tucson Museum of Art, Biennial, Tucson, AZ
2000 - 1995 Apparatus Gallery, Tucson, AZ
1999 - 1998 Hacienda Del Sol Gallery, Tucson, AZ
1997 Raw Gallery, Tucson, AZ
1997 - 1988 Tucson Museum of Art Faculty Show, TMA
1996 University of Massachusetts, Harbor Gallery, Boston, MA
1996 - 1995 Montez, Masterpieces of New Mexican Art, Santa Fe, NM, Scottsdale, AZ
1995 Blue Star Gallery, San Antonio, TX
1994 Scottsdale Center of the Arts, Scottsdale, AZ
1994, 1992 Tubac Center of the Art, Tubac, AZ
1990 Tohono Chul Gallery, Tucson, AZ
1988 Central Arts Gallery, Tucson, AZ

Awards

2003 Public Works Project of the Year, American Public Works Association
2002 Arizona Arts Award, Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, $25,000
2002 Federal Highway Award of Excellence in Design
1997 Visual Art Fellowship, Tucson/Pima Arts Council, $3000

Collections

Tucson Museum of Art
City of Tucson
City of Phoenix
City of Mesa
Tucson International Airport
The White House, Washington, DC

Professional Experience

Tucson Downtown Alliance Urban Design Committee, member 2003, 2004, 2005
Open Studio: The Arts Online, Multimedia Fellowship 1999-2000
Tucson/Pima Arts Council ArtWORKS!, Public Art & Community Youth Program, 1999-2006
Tucson Master Planning Design Charrettes, The Aesthetics of Parking, team member, 2000
Tucson Gateway Feature, team member, 1997
Redesigning the Landfill, team member, 1997

Selected Project Experience

Reid Park Zoo, Public Art Commission, Tucson 2008
In collaboration with Ben Olmstead. Large-scale sculpture for the African expansion project. Budget $108,000.
Speedway Boulevard: Camino Seco to Houghton Roads, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2007
In collaboration with Wheat Scharf Associates. Cast concrete sculpture. Art Budget $162,000
Vestar Development –Art in Private Development, Public Art Commission, Oro Valley AZ 2007
In collaboration with Wheat Scharf Assoc. Large steel arch / luminaries and painted water tanks, $177,200.
Mesa Arizona Bus Shelter, Public Art Commission, 2006 Consists of steel, cast concrete & a ceiling of life-size color photographic images on polycarbonate sheets. $34,000
Purple Heart Park Memorial Wall, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2006
Consists of a sandstone u-shaped wall, purple glass, stone bench with quote by Thomas Moore. $7,700
Pennington Street Garage, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2004-2005
A Tucson Department of Transportation Project, an illuminated aluminum / glass design to encircle the new downtown parking facility. Art Budget $71,000
El Pueblo Neighborhood Center, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2003-2005
In collaboration with Geoff Demark, Ben Olmstead. Shade structures of perforated aluminum and glass marbles. Art Budget of $19,500
Mountain Avenue Improvement, Phase III, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2002-2010
A Tucson Department of Transportation Project, In collaboration with poet Ofelia Zepeda. Roadway sculpture, hardscape design, Art budget of $126,000
Primavera Foundation & Primavera Builders, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2002
In collaboration with Geoff DeMark. We created a commemorative donor wall of etched glass, adobe brick & sandblasted designs on corrugated steel. $8000. Art budget. Completed 2002
Parkwise Art Shuttle Bus, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 2000
A painted and digital photograph / decal bus for The Tucson Department of Transportation TICET program. Completed February 2000
Wetmore / Ruthrauff Roads Improvement Project, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1999
A Pima County Department of Transportation Roadway Project in coordination with Collins-Pina Consulting Engineers. This is a $6.2 million project with an art budget of $140,000. As a design team member, I was initial co-designer of sound buffer wall designs. The scope of the project is the construction of a four-lane roadway from La Cholla Blvd. to Fairview Ave. Projected completion is 2005
Community Resource Center, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1998
This project was in coordination with Merry Carnell Schlecht, Inc. and Sage Landscape Architects for the City of Tucson and The United Way. The project budget was $3.9 million; the art budget is $30,000. As artist / planner I contributed to design details of the building complex and plaza design, this included the fabrication of a water feature, the plaza floor and three monumental sculptures inspired by Hohokam artifacts found at project site. I initiated the establishment of an Arizona State Museum satellite display of the actual artifacts in the community-building lobby. Project included working with the Tohono O’Odham Tribe. Completed May 2000
Sahuarita Gateway Monument, Community Based Public Art Project, Sahuarita, AZ. 1999
Artist supervisor of a summer project directing a dozen high school students in the creation of town monument made of steel, glass, tile and concrete artificial rock. Completed August 199
Tucson House Memorial Rose Garden, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1998
This project is in coordination with Richard Green, R.L.A. and the Tucson House Community in the creation of a rose garden with a gazebo structure & poetry engraved walkways. This is part of a $3 million dollar renovation of Tucson House by Poster Frost Associates Inc. The art budget is $30,000. My role was co-designer, fabricator and community liaison. Completed December 1999
Splash-Dash, Mountain Vista Park, Public Art Commission, Phoenix, AZ. 1998
A City of Phoenix Park Department Project, in collaboration with artist Alex Garza & Richard Green R.L.A. With a budget of $75,000 we designed and fabricated a water play area for children with a poured in place rubberized surface and sequenced timed water jets. Approximately 1000 sq. ft. Completed June 2001
Diamondback Bridge over Broadway Blvd., Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1997
In coordination with TY LIN International Engineering I designed a $2.7 million, 300' long pedestrian / bicycle bridge in the shape of a diamondback rattlesnake spanning over Broadway Blvd., downtown. Tucson Department of Transportation. Artist fee for design and overseeing of fabrication $24,000. The bridge has received nine awards, including American Public Works Project of the Year 2003. Completed May 2002
Woods Memorial Library, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1996
As part of the City of Tucson’s library renovation project of $1.5 million by Burns Wald & Hopkins Architects, I created 101"Flying books” cut from steel and painted, surrounding the exterior of the entire building. Art budget was $15,000. Completed February 1997

Teaching Experience

ArtWORKS! Academy, a TPAC / TUSD partnership, 1999-2008, Interim Director 2006
Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Indiana, Summer Program Artist in Residence, 2003
Arizona International College, Mentor Program, 2000-2002
Tucson Museum of Art School, Tucson, AZ. Instructor of drawing and painting, mentor, 1987-99



	Simon Donovan– Artist Statement Art with function, why not? As a painter and sculptor often working in the realm of public art, I am often working with very practical design issues. Considerations of durability, engineering, foundations, usability and risk management concerns are basic elements. Works often demand site–specific responses as their funding sources are often associated with public owned buildings (thus needs for architectural embellishments) or with road improvement projects (essentially landscape enhancement). So I have come to see the line between fine art and design as pretty murky. Many design professionals and craftspeople create fine art, conversely many fine artists are concerned with design and craftsmanship. Limiting scope of interest and disciplines can be a denial of creativity. For myself, I have strong design interests, opinions and impulses, so why not indulge? The artists/designers/craftsmen in this show represent but a few of Tucson’s great talents practicing cross-disciplines today. Here sculptors and painters are making furniture, architects and craftsmen are making fine art. The reality of many artists today is that to make a living you must be a renaissance man, so we might as well enjoy it. Resume Education M.F.A. Transart Institute, Danube University, Krems, Austria / Berlin, Germany B.F.A. Rhode Island School of Design Phillips Andover Academy, Institute of Visual Studies Exhibitions 2009 Concentart, Berlin, Germany 2009 Tucson Museum of Art Biennial, Tucson, AZ 2009 Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY 2007 Conrad Wilde Gallery 2006 - 2001 Temple of Music & Art, Tucson, AZ 2006, 2003, 2002, 1997 Obsidian Gallery, Tucson, AZ 2005 New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 2005 Tucson Museum of Art, Painted Metal, Tucson, AZ 2005, 2002 Raices Gallery, Tucson, AZ 2005, 1990, 1989, 1988 Dinnerware Gallery, Tucson, AZ 2003, 1996 Etherton Gallery, Tucson, AZ 2002, 2001 Canyon Ranch Gallery, Tucson, AZ 2001 Tucson Museum of Art, Biennial, Tucson, AZ 2000 - 1995 Apparatus Gallery, Tucson, AZ 1999 - 1998 Hacienda Del Sol Gallery, Tucson, AZ 1997 Raw Gallery, Tucson, AZ 1997 - 1988 Tucson Museum of Art Faculty Show, TMA 1996 University of Massachusetts, Harbor Gallery, Boston, MA 1996 - 1995 Montez, Masterpieces of New Mexican Art, Santa Fe, NM, Scottsdale, AZ 1995 Blue Star Gallery, San Antonio, TX 1994 Scottsdale Center of the Arts, Scottsdale, AZ 1994, 1992 Tubac Center of the Art, Tubac, AZ 1990 Tohono Chul Gallery, Tucson, AZ 1988 Central Arts Gallery, Tucson, AZ Awards 2003 Public Works Project of the Year, American Public Works Association 2002 Arizona Arts Award, Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, $25,000 2002 Federal Highway Award of Excellence in Design 1997 Visual Art Fellowship, Tucson/Pima Arts Council, $3000 Collections Tucson Museum of Art City of Tucson City of Phoenix City of Mesa Tucson International Airport The White House, Washington, DC Professional Experience Tucson Downtown Alliance Urban Design Committee, member 2003, 2004, 2005 Open Studio: The Arts Online, Multimedia Fellowship 1999-2000 Tucson/Pima Arts Council ArtWORKS!, Public Art & Community Youth Program, 1999-2006 Tucson Master Planning Design Charrettes, The Aesthetics of Parking, team member, 2000 Tucson Gateway Feature, team member, 1997 Redesigning the Landfill, team member, 1997 Selected Project Experience Reid Park Zoo, Public Art Commission, Tucson 2008 In collaboration with Ben Olmstead. Large-scale sculpture for the African expansion project. Budget $108,000. Speedway Boulevard: Camino Seco to Houghton Roads, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2007 In collaboration with Wheat Scharf Associates. Cast concrete sculpture. Art Budget $162,000 Vestar Development –Art in Private Development, Public Art Commission, Oro Valley AZ 2007 In collaboration with Wheat Scharf Assoc. Large steel arch / luminaries and painted water tanks, $177,200. Mesa Arizona Bus Shelter, Public Art Commission, 2006 Consists of steel, cast concrete & a ceiling of life-size color photographic images on polycarbonate sheets. $34,000 Purple Heart Park Memorial Wall, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2006 Consists of a sandstone u-shaped wall, purple glass, stone bench with quote by Thomas Moore. $7,700 Pennington Street Garage, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2004-2005 A Tucson Department of Transportation Project, an illuminated aluminum / glass design to encircle the new downtown parking facility. Art Budget $71,000 El Pueblo Neighborhood Center, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2003-2005 In collaboration with Geoff Demark, Ben Olmstead. Shade structures of perforated aluminum and glass marbles. Art Budget of $19,500 Mountain Avenue Improvement, Phase III, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2002-2010 A Tucson Department of Transportation Project, In collaboration with poet Ofelia Zepeda. Roadway sculpture, hardscape design, Art budget of $126,000 Primavera Foundation & Primavera Builders, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ 2002 In collaboration with Geoff DeMark. We created a commemorative donor wall of etched glass, adobe brick & sandblasted designs on corrugated steel. $8000. Art budget. Completed 2002 Parkwise Art Shuttle Bus, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 2000 A painted and digital photograph / decal bus for The Tucson Department of Transportation TICET program. Completed February 2000 Wetmore / Ruthrauff Roads Improvement Project, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1999 A Pima County Department of Transportation Roadway Project in coordination with Collins-Pina Consulting Engineers. This is a $6.2 million project with an art budget of $140,000. As a design team member, I was initial co-designer of sound buffer wall designs. The scope of the project is the construction of a four-lane roadway from La Cholla Blvd. to Fairview Ave. Projected completion is 2005 Community Resource Center, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1998 This project was in coordination with Merry Carnell Schlecht, Inc. and Sage Landscape Architects for the City of Tucson and The United Way. The project budget was $3.9 million; the art budget is $30,000. As artist / planner I contributed to design details of the building complex and plaza design, this included the fabrication of a water feature, the plaza floor and three monumental sculptures inspired by Hohokam artifacts found at project site. I initiated the establishment of an Arizona State Museum satellite display of the actual artifacts in the community-building lobby. Project included working with the Tohono O’Odham Tribe. Completed May 2000 Sahuarita Gateway Monument, Community Based Public Art Project, Sahuarita, AZ. 1999 Artist supervisor of a summer project directing a dozen high school students in the creation of town monument made of steel, glass, tile and concrete artificial rock. Completed August 199 Tucson House Memorial Rose Garden, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1998 This project is in coordination with Richard Green, R.L.A. and the Tucson House Community in the creation of a rose garden with a gazebo structure & poetry engraved walkways. This is part of a $3 million dollar renovation of Tucson House by Poster Frost Associates Inc. The art budget is $30,000. My role was co-designer, fabricator and community liaison. Completed December 1999 Splash-Dash, Mountain Vista Park, Public Art Commission, Phoenix, AZ. 1998 A City of Phoenix Park Department Project, in collaboration with artist Alex Garza & Richard Green R.L.A. With a budget of $75,000 we designed and fabricated a water play area for children with a poured in place rubberized surface and sequenced timed water jets. Approximately 1000 sq. ft. Completed June 2001 Diamondback Bridge over Broadway Blvd., Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1997 In coordination with TY LIN International Engineering I designed a $2.7 million, 300' long pedestrian / bicycle bridge in the shape of a diamondback rattlesnake spanning over Broadway Blvd., downtown. Tucson Department of Transportation. Artist fee for design and overseeing of fabrication $24,000. The bridge has received nine awards, including American Public Works Project of the Year 2003. Completed May 2002 Woods Memorial Library, Public Art Commission, Tucson, AZ. 1996 As part of the City of Tucson’s library renovation project of $1.5 million by Burns Wald & Hopkins Architects, I created 101"Flying books” cut from steel and painted, surrounding the exterior of the entire building. Art budget was $15,000. Completed February 1997 Teaching Experience ArtWORKS! Academy, a TPAC / TUSD partnership, 1999-2008, Interim Director 2006 Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Indiana, Summer Program Artist in Residence, 2003 Arizona International College, Mentor Program, 2000-2002 Tucson Museum of Art School, Tucson, AZ. Instructor of drawing and painting, mentor, 1987-99





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